Lifting and Barrier Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A movable support surface supported arms may be moved when a driving mechanism including a motor that drives the arms. Guides guide the arms such that the movable support surface moves between extended and retracted positions. A movable barrier is pivotally attached to a flexible rack using a clip assembly. A motor drives the flexible rack such that the movable barrier moves between open and closed positions. When disposed in a display case, the movable support moves between storage and display positions such that the movable barrier moves between a closed position to protect items in storage and an open position to display items on the movable support. The movable support surface and movable barrier are controlled by a control mechanism that may include limit switches to facilitate automatic control. The control mechanism may be responsive to various outside signals, and a plurality of display cases may be simultaneously controlled.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to mechanisms for lifting and loweringa load and for moving a movable barrier, and more particularly to theapplication of such mechanisms in display cases.

BACKGROUND

Often vendors display merchandise for sale within a glass covereddisplay case, also known as a showcase, to entice purchasers and to keepthe merchandise secure from potential theft. When an establishment isclosed or when a display case is otherwise left unattended, however, aperson may attempt to steal the contents of the display by smashing theglass and grabbing the displayed merchandise. To prevent such losses, itis desirable to have an easy to use mechanism for more securely storingthe merchandise when not on display. For instance, it is desirable tosecure the merchandise without having to remove the merchandise from thedisplay on a daily basis to avoid the extra labor and wear on the itemsand their display props and to decrease inventory shrinkage.Additionally, it is desirable for the outer portions of the display caseto be aesthetically pleasing so as to enhance the display of themerchandise or other items to be displayed.

Various security mechanisms for use within display cases are known inthe art. For example, it is known to install a movable barrier to coverthe display case when the items are not on display. Also, certainmechanisms are known for deploying a movable barrier within the displaycase for protecting merchandise while not on display. Such systems areoften installed on the exterior of the display case, are notaesthetically pleasing, can restrict access to other storage areas ofthe case, and can require considerable physical effort to position.Additionally all existing systems that have the shutter stored externalto the display case require a slot in the display case where the barrieris introduced or stored. This slot makes the structure of the case morevulnerable to breaking using a pry bar.

Further, it is desirable to place the displayed merchandise as close tothe glass as possible for easy viewing by others. Therefore, themerchandise in such display cases with internal movable barrier securitydevices must be moved or otherwise situated to avoid contact with thebarriers. Certain mechanisms for lowering a display shelf within adisplay case are known. These mechanisms vary from motorized linearlifts to scissor jack lift assemblies. Often, however, these devices aredifficult to install in existing display cases or are difficult to useand/or unreliable over long term use. Further, the existing systems tendto operate very slowly and require the manual insertion of the barrier,which prevents the systems from being of any use during a daytime smashand grab raid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above needs are at least partially met through provision of thelifting and barrier mechanisms described in the following detaileddescription, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 comprises a perspective view of a lifting mechanism as configuredin accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 comprises a perspective view of the lifting mechanism of FIG. 1with a portion of the mechanism removed;

FIG. 3 comprises a perspective view of the underside of the base plateof the lifting mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 comprises a perspective view of the motor, gear, and rackassembly of the lifting mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 comprises an elevation cross-sectional view of a display casehaving a lifting mechanism as configured in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention installed therein;

FIG. 6 comprises an elevation view of a shutter drive mechanism asconfigured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 comprises a perspective view of the attachment of the flexiblerack of FIG. 6 to a shutter slat via the clip assembly of FIG. 8 asconfigured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 comprises an exploded and a linked view of a clip assembly asconfigured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 comprises a perspective view of the lower shutter slat depictedin FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 comprises an exploded and linked view of an alternative clipassembly as configured in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 11 comprises an elevation cross-sectional view of a display casehaving a lifting mechanism and shutter drive mechanism installed asconfigured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 12 comprises a perspective view of a platform and drawer of adisplay case in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;and

FIG. 13 comprises a perspective view of a battery and control mechanismfor the lifting mechanism and shutter drive mechanism as configured inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioningof some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative toother elements to help to improve understanding of various embodimentsof the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements thatare useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are oftennot depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of thesevarious embodiments of the present invention. It will further beappreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described ordepicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required. It will also be understood that the terms andexpressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to suchterms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respectiveareas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwisebeen set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, alifting mechanism 100 includes a motor 102 for driving two racks 104 and106. The racks 104 and 106 are typically made of steel for durabilitypurposes. Alternatives to the racks may be contemplated by one skilledin the art. The distal end of each rack is pivotally attached to a firstend of a primary arm 108 or 110. The second end of each primary arm 108or 110 is pivotally attached to a first end of a support or secondaryarm 112 or 114. The rack 104 and primary arm 108 travel between a pairof guide plates 116 and 118. Similarly, the second rack 106 and primaryarm 110 travel between two guide plates 120 and 122. The guide plates116, 118, 120, and 122 are securely attached to a base plate 124,preferably by spot welding, and each pair of guide plates extendssubstantially perpendicularly away from the base plate 124 such thateach pair of guide plates are substantially parallel. Each pair of guideplates also defines within their structures cam slots 126 and 128.

The primary arms 108 and 110 each include a pivot shaft 130 and 132between the first and second ends of the primary arms 108 and 110. Thepivot shafts 130 and 132 are preferably run in a small needle rollerbearing pressed into the primary arm 108 or 110. The cam slots 126 and128 slidably receive the pivot shafts 130 and 132 such that when themotor 102 drives the racks 106 and 108 and the primary arms 108 and 110,the pivot shafts 130 and 132 move along the paths defined by the camslots 126 and 128. In this way, the movement of the primary arm 108 iscontrolled by how the primary arm 108 is attached to the rack 104 andthe path defined by the cam slot 126. The second ends of the secondaryarms 112 and 114 are pivotally attached to a load 134, typically theunder side of a movable support surface, preferably a shelf or platform.Therefore, when the motor 102 drives the primary arms 108 and 110 to thedistal ends of the lifting mechanism 100, the cam slots 126 and 128, bysloping in a generally upwards direction toward the distal ends of thelifting mechanism 100, guide the primary arms 108 and 110 in an upwardlydirection thereby lifting the load 134 along a path predetermined by thecam slots 126 and 128. Other embodiments of the primary arm guides maybe contemplated such as structure secured to the base plate or thedisplay case engaging the sides or tops and bottoms of the primary armsto guide their movement when driven by the motor.

FIG. 1 illustrates the positions of the arms at two different stages oflifting or extending. The secondary arm 112 and the primary arm 108 onthe left side of FIG. 1 illustrate the position of the arms in apreferred embodiment when driven by the motor 102 and the rack 104 tothe extended position. One skilled in the art will recognize that thespeed of the motor, the shape of the cam slot 126, and relativepositions of the pivoting connections of the primary 108 and secondary112 arms will determine the rate of motion for the load and the armmovement of various embodiments. Similarly, the secondary arm 112 andthe primary arm 108 on the right side of FIG. 1 illustrate the positionof the arms when driven by the motor 102 and the rack 106 to the loweredor retracted position.

FIG. 3 further illustrates how the racks 104 and 106 travel along thebase plate 124. The distal end of each rack 104 and 106, in addition tobeing pivotally attached to a primary arm 108 or 110, is securelyattached to a flange 136 and 138. The flanges 136 and 138 extend throughslots 140 and 142 defined by the base plate 124. Rollers 144 and 146attach to the flanges 136 and 138 on the side of the base plate 124opposite that of the racks 104 and 106. The rollers 144 and 146 securethe flanges 136 and 138 to the base plate 124. In this way, the slots140 and 142 and flanges 136 and 138 guide the horizontal travel andrestrict the vertical movement of the racks 104 and 106.

FIG. 4 further illustrates the motor and rack assembly 148. The motor102 drives a worm (not shown) in worm housing 150. The worm in turndrives a worm gear (not shown) in worm gear housing 152. The worm gearthen turns a spur gear 154 that engages the teeth of the racks 104 and106 to drive the racks 104 and 106 linearly as described above. Althoughvarious motor and gear types are applicable, the motor and worm gearassembly is preferably a readily available and inexpensive electricmotor and gearbox unit as used in many automotive applications and maybe securely attached to the base plate 124 using screws, rivets, orother suitable fasteners. Apertures 156, 158, 160, and 162 in the racks104 and 106 are used to connect the racks 104 and 106 to the flanges 136and 138 and primary arms 108 and 110 as described above.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the lifting mechanism100 is installed in a display case 170 on a support structure of thedisplay case 170, preferably a platform 171, using screws or othersuitable fasteners to secure the base plate 124 to the platform 171. Theload 134 in the preferred embodiment is a movable shelf 172 at itslowest position. The ends of the movable shelf 172 travel along theinner walls 174 and 176 of the display case 170. Guide rails 178 and 180are fixedly attached to the inner walls 174 and 176, and the movableshelf 172 slidably engages the guide rails 178 and 180 to generallystabilize the movable shelf 172 and constrain it to move substantiallyvertically during lifting and lowering.

So configured, the lift speed of the lifting mechanism is constantthroughout the entire lifting distance, and thus the torque required ofthe motor 102 is constant throughout the entire lifting distance.Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lifting mechanism's 100 verticalprofile in the lowered position is significantly smaller than the heightit reaches at its fully extended position. This arrangement allows forthe secure display of taller items within the display case 170.Additionally, the stable vertical movement of the movable shelf 172limits the possibility of items falling from the platform and/orbecoming entangled within the mechanism. Also, the movable shelf 172 maybe stopped at any place throughout its movement without the need for abrake. Further, one may recognize that the mechanism may be configuredsuch that the movable support surface or shelf 172 may be moved in ahorizontal direction as well, where items are supported on the movablesupport surface for display through a vertical display surface.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, conventional limit switches 182 and 184may be placed on the base plate 124 or otherwise located within thedisplay case 170 and operably connected to the motor 102 to signal whenthe movable shelf 172 has reached a desired upper display or lowerstorage position. Preferably, the first limit switch 182 is secured tothe base plate 124 using conventional means to contact one rack 106 andsignal that the upper limit is reached when the rack 106 passes beyondthe limit switch 182. Similarly, the second limit switch 184 is securedto the base plate 124 to contact the other rack 104 and signal that thelower limit is reached when the rack 104 makes contact with the limitswitch 184. This lower limit switch 184 may also signal to the shutterdrive mechanism to automatically begin driving the shutter to rise upand close off the display case 170 as described below.

Turning now to the shutter mechanism, FIG. 6 illustrates the drivemechanism 200 for a movable barrier. The shutter drive mechanism 200includes a motor 204 for driving a worm (not shown) in a worm housing206. The worm drives a worm gear (not shown) in a worm gear housing 208.The worm gear drives a pinion 210 through a spur gear 212. The motor andworm gear assembly is preferably a readily available and inexpensiveelectric motor and gearbox unit as used in many automotive applications.The pinion 210 is preferably a plastic adaptor gear to facilitateengagement with a flexible rack 214 by the teeth of the flexible rack214. The flexible rack 214 is made out of a plastic or other suitabledurable and flexible material. The flexible rack 214 slidably engagesand travels along a rack guide rail 216, which is preferably made froman aluminum extrusion process. The flexible rack 214 and rack guide rail216 assembly is known in the art and readily available.

Conventional limit switches 215 and 217 may be placed on the rack guiderail 216 or otherwise located so as to detect the position of theflexible rack 214 and/or barrier. The limit switches 215 and 217 areoperably connected to the motor 204 to signal when the barrier hasreached a desired open or closed position. Preferably, the first limitswitch 215 contacts the lower edge of the barrier 260 such that when thebarrier is retracted, the limit switch 215 signals that the lower limitof the barrier was reached. The signaling of reaching the barrier'slower limit may also automatically trigger the raising of the movableshelf 172 as described above because the barrier is clear of the movableshelf's 172 path. Similarly, the second limit switch 217 contacts theflexible rack 214 such that when the barrier is raised, the limit switch217 loses contact with the flexible rack 214 to signal that the upperlimit of the barrier is reached.

One end of the flexible rack 214 attaches to the barrier through a clipassembly 220 illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. The clip assembly 220includes a lower shutter clip 222 and an upper shutter clip 224. Thelower shutter clip 222 includes left 226 and right 228 flanges withapertures 230 and 232 in the flanges 226 and 228. The lower shutter clip222 also includes upper 234 and lower 236 L-shaped flanges. The upperL-shaped flange 234 extends substantially along the plane defined by thelower shutter clip 222 before extending substantially perpendicularlyfrom the plane. The portion of the upper L-shaped flange 234 extendingsubstantially perpendicularly to the plane of the lower shutter clip 222includes a tongue 238 bending in a plane substantially parallel to theplane defined by the lower shutter clip 222. The lower L-shaped flange236 also extends substantially along the plane defined by the lowershutter clip 222 before extending substantially perpendicularly from theplane in a direction opposite that of the upper L-shaped flange 234. Thelower L-shaped flange 236 portion in the plane of the lower shutter clip222 also includes an aperture 240. A further aperture 242 passes throughapproximately the center of the lower shutter clip 222.

The upper shutter clip 224 includes left 244 and right 246 flanges withapertures 248 and 250 that substantially align with the left 226 andright 228 flanges and apertures 230 and 232 of the lower shutter clip222. A third aperture 251 is included between the apertures 248 and 250of the left 226 and right 228 flanges. The upper shutter clip 224 alsoincludes an L-shaped flange 252 initially extending substantiallyperpendicularly from the plane defined by the upper shutter clip 224before bending substantially parallel to the plane. The portion of theL-shaped flange 252 lying substantially parallel to the plane of theupper shutter clip 224 defines a slot 254 that engages the tongue 238 ofthe lower shutter clip 222.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the clip assembly 220 isassembled as follows. The lower L-shaped flange 236 of the lower shutterclip 222 engages the flexible rack 214, and a rivet 256 or othersuitable fastener extends through the clip's apertures 240 and 242 tosecure the lower shutter clip 222 to the flexible rack 214. The lowershutter slat 258 of the movable barrier has first 260 and second 262sides and an opening 264 for making accessible a bar 270 or lower edgeof the slat 258 for engaging the clip assembly 220. The upper L-shapedflange 234 of the lower shutter clip 222 extends through the opening 264via the second side 262 of the lower shutter slat 258. When the upperL-shaped flange 234 is disposed through the lower shutter slat opening258, the slot 254 of the upper shutter clip 224 engages the tongue 238of the lower shutter clip 222. The upper shutter clip 224 then abuts thelower shutter clip 222 such that the upper shutter clip apertures 248,250, and 251 align with the lower shutter clip 222 apertures 230, 232,and 242, respectively. Screws or other suitable removable fastenersextend through the openings defined by the left apertures 248 and 230and by the right apertures 250 and 232 to securely and removably fastenthe upper shutter clip 224 to the lower shutter clip 222. The rivet 256or other suitable fastener securing the lower shutter clip 222 to theflexible rack 214 extends through the upper shutter clip's aperture 251to allow secure and flush contact between the upper 224 and lower 222shutter clips.

So configured, the upper L-shaped flange 252 of the upper shutter clip224 and the upper L-shaped flange 234 of the lower shutter clip 222 forma pass through portion 268 that encloses the bar 270 of the lowershutter slat 258 at its opening 264 to allow rotation of the shutterslat 258 during movement. Additionally, the clip assembly 220 has a thinprofile for traveling in a limited and narrow space within a displaycase 170. This clip assembly 220 provides the further benefit of beingdetachable from the shutter slat 258 for installation and servicing.

An alternative clip mechanism 400 is illustrated in FIG. 10. Thealternative clip mechanism 400 includes a lower lip 410 of the lowershutter slat 258 that defines an aperture 412 along the length of thelower lip 410. The alternative flexible rack 214 includes a boss 418 orrounded ending that defines an aperture 420. The boss 418 may beintegral with the flexible rack 214 or a separate structure otherwiseaffixed to the flexible rack 214. The lower shutter slat 258 alsodefines a slot 414, preferably sized to fit the width of the boss 418,and a locking slot 416 or aperture in the lower lip 410. The alternativeclip mechanism 400 also includes a pin 422 that slidably engages theaperture 412 defined by the slat lower lip 410 and the aperture 420 inthe boss 418 to secure the boss 418 and flexible rack 214 relative tothe lower shutter slat 258. The pin 422 includes a flange or tab 424that engages the locking slot 416 to secure the location of the pin 422in the lower lip aperture 412 and the boss aperture 420.

The alternative clip mechanism 400 has a thin profile for traveling in alimited and narrow space within a display case 170, is easily detachablefor maintenance and installation of the shutter mechanism, and allowsfor the flexible rack 214 to have a rotatable connection with theshutter that allows for rotation of the lower shutter slat 258 relativeto the flexible rack 214 during operation.

When installed in a display case 170 as illustrated in FIG. 11, the rackguide rail 216 extends vertically along an inner wall 274 of the displaycase 170 and at least partially in a curved path into a lower portion276 of the display case 170. The motor 204 and drive assembly 200preferably have an integral design readily attached to the inner wall274, platform 171, or other portion of the display case 170. In such aconfiguration, the flexible rail 214 has a defined path to followvertically when the barrier or shutter 278 is driven to its closedposition and a defined path to follow horizontally into storage in thelower portion 276 of the display case 170 when the barrier or shutter278 is in its open position. The barrier or shutter 278 is preferably asectional shutter assembly, often called a Tambour shutter, with guidewheels 280 that run along a shutter track 282, although other barrierstructures may be used. The shutter track 282 defines the path in whichthe shutter 278 runs when driven by the drive assembly 200, and theshutter track 282 may be installed in profiled slots cut into the sidewalls 174 and 176 of the display case 170 and/or have a separatestructure installed along the side walls 174 and 176. One skilled in theart will recognize that a variety of movable barriers may be operatedwith the drive mechanism 200 described herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred embodiment where the lifting mechanism100 and shutter drive mechanism 200 are installed in a single displaycase 170. The lifting mechanism 100 is shown in the fully extendedposition where the movable shelf 172 is at an upper portion 284 of thedisplay case 170 such that items placed on the movable shelf 172 arevisible through an at least partially transparent partition, preferablythe glass enclosure 286 of the upper portion 284, and the movable shelf172 forms the floor of the display. The shutter 278 is fully retractedto allow the movable shelf 172 a clear path to the fully liftedposition. When the user of the glass display case wishes to secure theitems on the movable shelf 172, the lifting mechanism 100 lowers themovable shelf 172 into the middle portion 288 of the display case 170.Then, the shutter 278 is driven by the drive mechanism 200 along theshutter track 282 to enclose the items on the movable shelf 172 withinthe middle portion 288 of the display case 170. Preferably, the middleportion 288 of the display case 170 is lined with steel panels (notshown) to further guard against break-in. Further, a steel back panel289 is fit to enclose the back side of the middle portion 288 around thecontrol mechanism 300 such that when the sliding glass panels 290 of thedisplay case 170 are closed and locked, the back panel 289 cannot beremoved. So configured, the items are increasingly safe from a“smash-and-grab” attempt to steal the items because they are securedwithin the middle portion 288 of the display case 170 by the shutter 278and steel panels.

An additional safety measure may be implemented through the provision ofone or more magnet proximity switches 292, or other suitable switches,installed on the sliding glass panels 290 of the display case 170. Theswitches 292 are operably connected to the control mechanism 300 todisable the lifting mechanism 100 and drive mechanism 200 when thesliding glass panels 290 are open. Therefore, a person will not beinjured by a moving movable shelf 172 or shutter 278, for example, bypinching a hand in the display case 170.

So configured, the shutter assembly is fully contained within thedisplay case 170 thereby improving the aesthetic quality of the displaycase 170. Also, movement of the shutter 278 does not require any manualinput.

Further, with reference to FIG. 12, the shutter assembly does notinhibit the use of at least one drawer 450 in the space 294 below themiddle portion 288 of the display case 170. To provide additionalsecurity, a brace 452 securely affixed using conventional means to themovable shelf 172 extends downward toward the drawer 450. One or morehinges 454 are securely attached to the brace 452, preferably by beingscrewed to the brace 454. The hinges 454 include an engaging flange 456that extends beyond the end of the brace 452. The engaging flange 456engages a notch 458 in the side wall 460 of the drawer 450 when themovable shelf 172 is in the fully retracted position thereby locking thedrawer 450. The engaging flange 456 is preferably biased toward the rearof the display case 170 such that if the movable shelf 172 is loweredwhen the drawer 450 is open or partially closed, the engaging flange 456will merely fold upward against the side wall 460 of the drawer 450 andwill extend down into the notch 458 when the drawer 450 is later fullyclosed.

Referring again to FIG. 11, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe width of the platform 171 supporting the lifting mechanism 100 mayadjusted as needed. For example, the platform 171 may be as narrow asthe base plate 124 to allow for passage of the brace 452. The narrowconfiguration of the platform 171 also allows for additional ease ofaccess for maintenance of the lifting mechanism 100 either from the backof the display case 170 or through the lower section 294, for instance,with the drawer 450 removed.

With continuing reference to FIG. 11, a control mechanism 300 for themotors 102 and 204 is also installed within the display case 170. Thecontrol mechanism 300 is operably connected to the motors 102 and 204,the limit switches 182, 184, 215, and 217 for the lifting mechanism 100and the shutter drive mechanism 200, and the proximity switches 292through conventional means to control the operation of the motors 102and 204 as described herein. The control mechanism 300 is conventionaland may be operated in a variety of ways and preferably includes aprinted circuit board.

As further illustrated in FIG. 13, preferably, the control mechanism 300is controlled by a user via a key switch 302 that when turned in acertain direction automatically drives the motors 102 and 204 to lowerthe movable shelf 172 and close the shutter 278. The limit switches 182,184, 215, and/or 217 signal to the control mechanism 300 when to stopand start movement of the motors 102 and 204 in the given direction asdescribed above. Similarly, turning the key switch 302 in the oppositedirection will cause the motors 102 and 204 to drive the movable shelf172 to the upper position and open the shutter 278 with the limitswitches 182, 184, 215, and/or 217 signaling when to stop and start themotors 102 and 204. In a like way, the proximity switches 292 signal tothe control mechanism 300 to not operate the motors 102 and 204 when theglass sliding panels 290 are open to prevent injury. One skilled in theart will recognize a variety of switch placements and/or implementationsof logic circuitry to ensure safe turn-key operation of the liftingmechanism 100 in conjunction with the shutter drive mechanism 200. Soconfigured, the display case 170 security mechanism provided by thelifting mechanism 100 and the shutter drive mechanism 200 may beoperated by a person having no access to the contents of the displaycase 170. Further, the operation may be completed through the use of asingle switch without further human intervention.

The control mechanism 300 may also include fuses or circuit breakers 304and 306 for the motors 102 and 204 and the control circuit containedwithin the control mechanism 300. The fuses 304 and 306 are operablyconnected to the motors 102 and 204 and control circuit such that in theevent of a mechanical jam, short circuit, or other occurrence preventingthe normal operation of one the motors 102 and 204 or control circuit, afuse 304 or 306 will blow thereby preventing damage to the motor 102 or204 or control circuit. In such an event, the fuse 304 or 306 may bereplaced and operation of the motor 102 or 204 reversed to clear thejam. Preferably, the first fuse 304 has a 2-4 amp breakdown value toprotect the control circuit, and the second fuse 306 has a 10-15 ampbreakdown value to protect the motor power circuits.

The control mechanism 300 also includes operator relays 308. Theoperator relays 308 typically connect to the various limit switches toprovide control between the switches and the motors 102 and 204.Additionally, the control mechanism 300 typically includes a battery 310for providing power to the lifting mechanism 100 and the shutter drivemechanism 200. In this arrangement, the battery 310 will be used tooperate the lifting mechanism 100 and/or the shutter drive mechanism 200when the outside power fails. The battery 310 is preferably a 12 VDC ofa conventional rechargeable type thereby having enough power for severalcycles of the lifting mechanism 100 and/or the shutter drive mechanism200 before needing recharging. Preferably, the battery charger (notshown) is connected to the same power supply as the display case lights(not shown) so that the battery 310 is charged whenever the displaylights are illuminated. Alternatively, the control mechanism 300 may beconnected to an outside power supply (not shown) where the display case170 is located.

In a further embodiment, the control mechanism 300 can be programmed orotherwise configured to automatically lower the movable shelf 172 andclose the shutter 278 when receiving a signal that an alarm is tripped,the house power is lost, emergency has occurred, or to close all. Suchembodiments are readily configurable by one skilled in the art andprovides increased security because it may operate without any need ofhuman intervention. Further, the control mechanisms 300 of severaldisplay cases 120 may be linked to provide a single turn-key control ofan entire room or store to provide additional ease of use and security.In such an embodiment, the control circuit for each case includes aquick connect junction that allows a harness to be installed to link thecases together. Alternatively, a separate single control mechanism 300may control the operation of several display cases 170.

It is appreciated that securing items on display in a display casehaving the lifting mechanism and the shutter drive mechanism is madesignificantly easier by the turn-key operation of the mechanisms. Anoperator need not move, touch, or otherwise handle the items on displayor the barrier to secure them. Instead, the operator need only turn thekey switch to the closed position to lower the items and cover them withthe shutter. Time is thereby saved and security increased by eliminatingthe need to handle the items to secure them. Further, the relativelysimple design, using inexpensive and/or readily available components,renders the overall apparatus inexpensive to manufacture and simple toinstall.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety ofmodifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect tothe above described embodiments without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, andcombinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventiveconcept.

1. An apparatus comprising: a movable support surface; at least twosupport arms secured to the movable support surface; at least oneprimary arm connected to each support arm wherein each primary armincludes a first primary arm end and a second primary arm end whereinthe second primary arm end of each primary arm connects to one of the atleast two support arms; at least one primary arm guide operably engagingeach primary arm such that the at least one primary arm guide guides themovement of the engaged primary arm; and a driving mechanism including amotor driving at least one driving member wherein each driving member isattached to the first primary arm end of one of the at least one primaryarm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 where the at least one primary armguide further comprises at least one guide plate defining a cam slotthat operably engages the primary arm such that the cam slot defines amovement path for a portion of the primary arm engaging the cam slot. 3.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the driving mechanism drives theat least one driving member, the driving member moves the primary arm asguided by the primary arm guide thereby moving the support arms that inturn move the movable support surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the motor further comprises an electric motor operably coupledto a control mechanism.